Byrdie Wilson

Operation Smile is honored to welcome guests back to New York City on Wednesday, November 5th, for an extraordinary evening on Broadway—where the rhythm of generosity meets the glamour of the Jazz Age. The 2025 New York Operation Smile Gala marks a dazzling return to the city’s philanthropic spotlight on Wednesday, November 5th, celebrating compassion, transformation and the hundreds of thousands of new smiles created since our last gathering. This year, we invite you to step into a world of vintage elegance and spirited celebration, inspired by the golden era of Big Band swing, speakeasy charm, and Broadway brilliance. Set against the timeless allure of Sony Hall—once a historic vaudeville venue in Times Square and now a beacon of cultural sophistication—the evening will unfold with a refined cocktail reception, a curated silent auction, and a red carpet entrance worthy of the stage. Smile Gala Co-Chairs include Carmit Bachar, Dr. Bill & Kathy Magee, Caleb Chapman, Richard & Noreen G. Oelkers, Christina Nalbone, Andrew Nusbaum, Pritika Swarup and Pam Wilson. Long-time Operation Smile supporters The Cotto Family will receive the Founders Circle Award presented by Lladró, honoring their generational philanthropy and advocacy. Guests will enjoy an elegant dinner and spirited dancing, brought to life by the big band sounds of the 20-piece Voodoo Orchestra from Caleb Chapman's Soundhouse, whose bold brass and rhythms channel the soul of the Roaring Twenties. Born with a cleft palate, rising music star Byrdie Wilson will light up the stage alongside surprise celebrity guests — the night promises unforgettable musical moments that echo both the glamour of the past and the hope of the future.